Black Australorp not laying yet

[pertelote]

HI all, we have 5 hens. All are about 28 weeks old. All are laying now but one, the australorp. Is there an average age for this breed as to when they start laying?
We have 2 leghorns, 1 barred rock, 1 buff orpington, and the 1 australorp.

Thanks for helping!!

 

[AuntNomi]

I had a Black Australorp, gave her away when she was a little over 14 months because she had never even layed an egg. My friend has her just as a pet, she still does not lay eggs, and that's been a few months ago. So I do not know an average age for the breed, however I hope she lays soon for you. Good luck!

 

[Shezadandy]

Maybe you've found one that is affected by the dwindling daylight-- hard to say. The latest I've had one go was 27 weeks- it seemed like she was never ever going to do it, then finally! But she has not been a very consistent layer at all.

 

[pertelote]

Thanks guys! The buff just started laying last week so maybe I have some late bloomers. Lol! Hopefully, she starts dropping a few egg's here and there.

 

[pertelote]

Are they known for being finicky layers?

 

[dana0710]

My australorps started around 19 weeks. They have always been excellent layers for me. They are a little older now (2.5), just went through a molt and I'm pretty sure one is an internal layer, but I haven't gotten an egg in months now. I'm hoping the other two get back into business pretty soon. I would be nice to get at least one a week out of the 3 of them.

 

[Shezadandy]

Are they known for being finicky layers?

I don't think so. They're all individuals though!

There is an EE in my flock that is super sensitive to daylight hours. She stopped for 3 weeks in prime laying time... for noise purposes I had the pop door opening at 9:30am... moved it by coincidence because noise wasn't a problem, and the next day she was back at it like nothing happened. Happened again a few weeks later, so I set the door a little earlier, egg the next day and kept going. Now we're really into the shorter days and she's pretty well stopped, and that's OK-- but I was surprised how if/then her laying was with respect to light.

 

[dizneekim]

I'm having a similar experience. We have 4 black australorps who are 6 months old, and still not laying. The one we had before was terrific, so when she passed, we bought these four. So far, no luck.

The black star we bought at the same time started laying about two weeks ago. The 4yo australorp is molting, so no eggs from her right now, either. We're kind of bummed. They are all plump and pretty, and have nice red combs. I wonder if we should add an hour or two of light in the coop?

 

[Shezadandy]

I'm having a similar experience. We have 4 black australorps who are 6 months old, and still not laying. The one we had before was terrific, so when she passed, we bought these four. So far, no luck.

The black star we bought at the same time started laying about two weeks ago. The 4yo australorp is molting, so no eggs from her right now, either. We're kind of bummed. They are all plump and pretty, and have nice red combs. I wonder if we should add an hour or two of light in the coop?

I believe the typical suggested light is 14hrs total- the type of light bulb might matter- otherwise it won't stimulate laying- though it's been a while since I looked into it so I don't remember which was which...

 

[junebuggena]

Pullets that mature in the fall do tend to start laying later than usual. My Australorps are good layers, when they aren't brooding. One of mine just started laying again after 3 months of brooding and molting.